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NEW YORK, April 29 (Reuters) – U.S. electric utility Entergy (ETR.N) is looking to expand its nuclear power output by upgrading its existing plants across the U.S. South while it considers advanced nuclear technologies, company executives said on Tuesday.
U.S. nuclear power, which is virtually carbon free, has been in high demand in recent years, particularly as Big Tech grapples with balancing growing electricity needs with climate-driven energy pledges.
Entergy recently completed a refueling outage at its River Bend nuclear plant and plans work at the site that will clear the way for expanding the 967-megawatt St. Francisville, Louisiana, plant by about 40 MW, the company said on an earnings call with investors.
The power company is considering adding 275 MW of nuclear electric capacity through other upgrades of its existing fleet.
It has also secured a site permit for a new nuclear reactor in Mississippi and is in discussion with potential buyers of any power that would be produced from a potential plant.
Advanced nuclear technologies, like small modular reactors, are untested in the U.S. New nuclear builds have typically faced cost overruns, with some being abandoned during construction due to regulatory restraints.
Entergy is attempting to manage construction risk with any nuclear build, said Entergy CEO Drew Marsh on the call.
“We need to be able to solve that commercial question up front to move forward with nuclear on a more rapid pace,” Marsh said.
Reporting by Laila Kearney; Editing by Jan Harvey
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